Thread controlling mechanism



8-' 1937. R. H. LAWSON THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Mafch 22, 1932 s Sheefs-Sheet 1 FICCZ.

R. H LAWSON THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM Aug. 31, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1932 [NI/1min]? RwERT/i LAwsmj ATTy.

Aug. 31, 1937. LAWSON 7 2,091,407

THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed March 22, 1932 s Shoots-Shoot 3 PMZRTH LAwsmg,

ayo w az I ,ATT).

nt dui: 3, .1937

umsoisrsu assist-zmnssnoomomauacnmsu RobertEhwson, hwtnekmlhl uslgnorto 'nemphillcbmrm, Central Falls,B. 1.,aoorm n olhlalaaohnsetts 'Applic'ation ma :2, ms. Serial'No. 090,480 fssou '(ci. se-us) v This invention relates to a new and improved mechanism for governing the thread or yarn tensions. beingherein'shown as applied to a knitting machine of the type discloud in the Lawson 6 and Lawson Patent 1,702,608. February 19, 1929, although theinvention is applicable to other types of knitting machines and to other "types of machines where tensions are imposed on strands such as threads or the like.

I I Inthe drawings:

threads are guided from the bobbins to the takeup levers:

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation'of the construc-' tion shown at Fig. '25 Fig. '7 is a view in elevation showing a modified form of thread controlling mechanism; Fig. 8 is a view in plan disclosing the thread controlling means shown in Fig. 7

- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing how a thread is locked, the viewbeing relatively en- 'larged' as compared with the same parts in Fig. 7; a

Fig. 10 is a detail view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the parts in another relative position:

Fig. 11 is a' detail. viewin elevation and correspondingto Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a view in elevation showing a fragment of the structure shown in Fig. 1, and show- 40 thread; and

Fig. 13 is a view in plan showing themodifled mechanism disclosed in Fig. 12.

Referring first to the form disclosed in Figs.

by the numeral i consists of a rotary unit adapted to rotate constantly in one. direction or to oscillate by a gear connection (not shown). driven by means of ashaft' 2 similar-to that dis closed in the .Lawson and Lawson patent. A plurality of threads or yarns, such as 3, are shown as passing through eyelets such as 4' provided in a disc 5 which corresponds in structure and function to the disc I I1 shown in the Lawson 55 and Lawson patent.

ing a. modified mechanism for controlling a- 1-5 inclusive, the mechanism indicated generally.

} Bobbins such as 6 are shown as being mounted upon spindles I which in turn arezmounted a plate I which constitutes part of a, rotary unit. From the bobbin 8 the threads lpass'upwardly, through'two circles of holes-or eyelets land I l, the said eyelets 0 and II thus being alternately 5 arranged and in a staggeredfrelation.. ,nfter passing upwardly throughthe eyelets land," the threads 3 then pass, in a tortuouspath, be.- tween meshing gear-like members Ii; 12 and II, the first and last of which, however, do; not. 1 mesh with each. other. The members ll, and

II are similarly constituted 'eachfbeing mounted on the shank of a shouldered screw H each screw passing through a hole in a plate ii and being retained therein by-meansof a nut 18. 15 Each thread 3, as shown, passes between the meshing teeth of the gear-likemembers ii and I 2 and then at right angles through the meshing teeth I! and i3, from there passing under a wire II securedto and spaced from the upper surface of plate to, 'and' then up'and' through an eyelet ll provided in an end-o1 a thread I take-up and tension leverl9,'.the end-,xbeing turned at substantially rightanglesto the shank.

of the lever IS. The levers it which are piv- 25 otally mounted on a split ring adiacent to the axis of the rotary unit, extend outwardly therefrom in a radial direction. The split ring 20 passes through holesorslots 2| provided in antics of circularly arranged blocks}! cast. integral with. and constituting part of a plate or disc 23 made fast to plate 15. A screw 24 extends overthe ends of the split ring 20 and retains the same in position as shown in Fig. 2. Intermediate the ends of the levers is are a 5 series of holes 25 any one of which is adapted to be engaged by one end of a coil spring it the other end of which is connected to a pin or screw 21, the pin 21 being mounted in the periphery of a plate 2| which is providedfwith a hub 28 retained in positionon the rotary, hollow spindle ",by means of a set; screw 3i.- Obviously the force exerted by a sprin 26 depends upon which hole ,2! is engaged by t c said spring, the greatest retractile force being exerted by the spring 2' when the spring is attached to the outermost -'of the holes B. .After passing through the eye I! of the end ofalever IS, a thread 3 passes under the bar or wire i1 and thendownwardly through yan eyelet 32 provided in the plate-i5, the thread 'from there passing towards the axisof the spindle I0 and then through an. eyelet 33 provided in, the plate 8, the thread 3 then being guided in any suitable manner to and through an eyelet I in the disc 6.

35 lever 40.

By arranging the bobbin supporting plate or disc 3 beneath plate i5 upon which the yard tension means are mounted, and guiding the threads upwardly through the plate I! and then 5 between gear-like members ii, i2 and i3, and then radially inwardly and through the tension members i3 and then downwardly to and through the eyelets 4,- an even tension is maintained on the threads which is not possible by imposing tension on the threads through the medium of the usual tension discs, because-the disc members being rotatable on a support, centrifugal force causesiconstant vibration of the discs, thereby causing the threads to be unevenly tensioned which consequently affects the knitting. Referring to Figs. 7-11'inclusive, wherein a modified form of the invention is shown, the plate 15' and parts mounted thereon are modifled somewhat as compared with the corresponding parts just described. The threads as before pass upwardly from bobbins 3 mounted'on the plate 8, passing through one circle of eyelets 34 in the plate l5 each thread 3 then passing between bifurcated arms 33 of tension members 33 which are fastened to the plate II as by means of screws 31-. Through the upper ends of the arms 35 of each member 33, a pin 33 passes, the said pin being retained in position by a screw 39 and serving as a pivotal support for a lever 43. The arms are recessed intermediate their lengths thus providing a shoulder 4i between which and the pin 42 a thread 3 is adapted to be clamped. A pin 42 is connected to and extends laterally from the arm 43 of the The edges or surfaces of the arms 35 which are adjacent to the pin 42 when the same is inthread clamping position, are recessed or set back as indicated at 44 so that pin 42, when in the thread clamping position shown in Fig. 9, will come to rest in contact with the thread 3 and shoulder 4| with the center of the pin 42 being directly above the edge defined by the shoulder 4i and beveled surface 43, the pin 42, however, not being in contact with the 45 adjacent edges or surfaces of the arms 35. A ,coil spring 43 which is adapted to be attached to any one of a series of holes 41 provided .in the lever 40, is connected at its other end to the pin or screw 39. A turned end 43 of one arm of a lever 40 engages the underside of lever i9- which is identical in all respects with lever is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Although the holes 41 may also be utilized in the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8, nevertheless the spring adjustments are primarily obtained by attaching the coil spring 28 to the hooked end of a rod 49 which passes adjustably through a hole provided in a plate 23, a screw 50 serving to retain the rod 49 in adjustment position.

As hereinbefore stated, the threads 3 pass upwardly through circularly arranged eyelets 34 provided in the plate I, and from there the threadspass more or less radially inwardly be- -ing yieldingly clamped between the pins 42 and shoulders 41, the threads passing from there under bars or wires 5i which are carried by and mounted upon the upper surface of the plate I5 and then through the eyes l8 and finally down through a circular series of eyelets 52 which are disposed'inwardly with respect to the rods or wires Ii. After passing through the eyelets 52, the-threads are guided in a manner similar to or identical to that disclosed in Figs. 1 and 4.

' When the needles impose tension on the threads 3 or any of them, the corresponding levers I! are moved from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that shown in Fig. 10, whereupon the turned end 41 of a lever .40 is depressed thereby elevating the pin 42 from contact with the thread 3, thus permitting such threads 3 to be freely 5 drawn by the needles of a knitting machine, or. by other instrumentalities of a knitting or other machine. 1

A modified form of the invention disclosed in Figs. 12 and 13, consists of a detent orlocking 10 lever 53 which is pivoted intermediate its ends upon a pin 54 which latter passes through holes in opposed bifurcated arms in a stud 55, a pin or screw 54 passing through a hole in one of the arms and into engagement'xwith the pin 54 to 15 retain the same in position. The stud 55 tennihate s in a threaded shank which passes axially through the intermediate gear-like member i2, and though a hole in the plate I! being retained in position by means of a nut 51. The outer 20 arm of the lever 53 is provided with a right angularly extending end 53 which when the said lever is in the dotted line position of Fig. 12, moves in between adjacent teeth of the gear-like member ll thereby positively locking the member ll 25 and consequently locking the members i2 and I3. While not essential during the knitting of stockings, it is desirable that, during, the knitting of heels and toes or other reciprocatory knitting, the member's ii, i2 and i3 be pre- 30 vented from turning, thereby clamping the thread and preventing movement thereof.

The lever 53 is provided at the inner end thereof with an end 59 which extends substantially at right angles to the innerlever arm and 35 is adapted to be engaged by means of a take-up lever is when the same is moved to a relatively lowered position by means of a thread 3. The movement of the lever l9 by the thread 3 to the relatively lowered position shown in Figs. 12 and 40 13, causes the end 58 of the outer lever arm to be withdrawn from between adjacent teeth of the gear-like member ll, consequently permitting the gear-like members H, i2 and I 3 thereafter to rotate freely when the needles cause the 45 thread to be drawn through the eye 18 of the lever I9.

The mechanisms hereinbefore described," while they impose suflicient tension on the threads 3.

permit such threads to be fed freely to the nee- 50 dies or other instrinnentalities, and without the intermittent changes in tension which ordinarily result from the used the usual thread tensions. The rolls ll, i2, i3 shown in Figs. 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 13, and the tension members, including the levers 55 i9 and 40, shown in Figs. 'l-1l inclusive, act positively to lock the threads and prevent them from being drawn from the source of supply, except when the needles or other instrumentalities impose a tension on a thread and either cause the 60 thread to be pulled through the gear-like members ii, l2, l3, or cause the pin 42 to be elevated, thereby permitting the threads to be drawn freely from the source of supply.

Although as hereinbefore described, the inven- 65 tion is particularly applicable to knitting ma-- 1 chines of the type disclosed in the patent to Lawson and Lawson 1,702,608; the tension mechanisms may be used in split foot machines or in any knitting machines, the sensitiveness of the 70 tension being particularly useful in controlling, the threads during reciprocatory knitting, e. g., the knitting of heels and toes of stockings or half hose. I v

While, in the foregoing description, the inven- 75 tion has been disclosed as being particularly adapted for use in knitting machines, and especially of the type disclosed in the Lawson and Lawson Patent 1,702,608; nevertheless, there is no intention of limiting the invention to .any particular type of knitting or other-machine.

I claim:

1. A thread controlling mechanism for knitting machines including thread supplying means and thread controlling -.n'ieans, the said thread controlling means permitting the thread -or threads at times to pass freely to knitting instrumentalities and including a plurality of revoluble members between which the thread is adapted to pass, the said members having interengaging formations, thereby causing the thread to pursue a tortuous path, in combination with a movable arm which in one position acts upon the revoluble members to prevent passage of the thread to knitting instrumentalities.

2. Thread controlling meansfor knitting machines including thread supplying means and thread controlling means,'the said thread controlling means permitting the thread or threads at times topass freely to knitting instrumentalities and including a plurality of revoluble members between which the thread is adapted to pass, the said members having interengaging formations, thereby causing the thread to pursue a tortuous path, the thread controlling means also including a thread controlling finger through which a thread is adapted to pass, and a movable arm in association with said finger, said arm, at times, locking the said members and preventing movement of the thread therethrough.

3. A thread controlling means including two movably supported members, one such member being adapted to engage and clamp the thread and prevent movement thereof, the other memher being provided with a thread guiding eye through which the thread passes and being movable from one position to another position by tension of the thread, the member last mentioned when moved to the second named position acting on the other member in such a man- 1 ner as to permit the thread to be drawn freely through the mentioned thread guiding eye.

4. Thread controlling mechanism for knitting machines including a thread supplying means and thread controlling means, in combination with thread feeding means, the thread controlling meanspermltting the thread or threads to pass freely to knitting instrumentalities and including a thread clamp for temporarily retaining the thread and preventing its passage therethrougli, said thread control ing means also including a member adapted to act on the aforesaid thread clamping means so as to release the. thread from, clamping engagement thereby to permit free movement of the thread through the clamping! member.

5. Thread controlling mechanism for knittin 1 machines including a source of thread supply and thread controlling means, in combination with means for feeding thread to the needles, the said thread controlling means including means adapted to permit thread to be drawn freely from the source of supply by knitting in-,

ing to draw thread from the thread supplying means.

6. Thread controlling mechanism including a thread supply and thread controlling means, in combination with means for feeding threads to the needles of a knitting machine, said thread controlling means including a movable thread clamping member and a member associated therewith adapted, when the thread is under tension, so to act on the thread clamping member as to release the same from clamping engagement with a thread, the aforesaid member being movably mounted and the construction being such that a relatively short movement oi. the said member releases the clamp and permits the thread to be drawn freely by other instrumentalities without being retarded-by engagement with the thread clamping member.

, 7. Thread controlling mechanism for knitting machines comprising a source of thread supply and knitting instrumentalities, the threads from which source are adapted to pass therefrom to the knitting instrumentalities, said threads, in their passage from the source of thread supply to theknitting instrumentalities, passing through thread controlling means, said thread controlling means comprising a rotatably mounted member having itherein provisions for the passage of thread from the source of supply to ,the knitting instrumentalities, cooperating levers mounted upon the said member, one oi said leve'rs being pivoted adjacent to the periphery of the rotatably mounted member and extending inwardly toward. the axis thereof, the other lever being mounted adjacent to the axis of the rotatably mounted member, and extending in a more or less radial direction and being maintained in constant engagement wit the lever first mentioned, the lever first mentioned acting releasably to clamp a thread and the lever second mentioned acting, when the knitting instrumentalities are drawing thread from the source of supply to release the lever first mentioned in such a manner as to permit thread to pass freely from the source of supply to the knitting'instrumentalities.

8. In a knitting machine rotary thread wrapping means mounted for rotary movement with which is a bobbin stand, in combination with thread controlling means connected with the bobbin, stand so as 'to rotate therewith and including a movable thread clamping member, said thread controlling'means preventing the threads from passing freely to the needles of the knitting machine when the needles are not knitting but .operable to permit the threads to pass freely and without any drag to the needles upon reisumption of; knitting when the movable clamping member does not act to retard free passage of the thread to the needles.

9. In a knitting-machine having a rotary means and through the thread-tension means and then downwardly through the thread-wrapping mains and to the needles, the construction beingsuch that when the, needles are drawing thread from the source of supply the movable thread clamping member does not act to retard free passage -of the thread to the needles.

10. In a knitting machine a source of thread supply, thread-tension means and thread-wrapping means all mounted so as to rotate on'i'a common axis, the thread-tension means including a plurality of thread clamping members and levers pivoted adjacent to the said axis their outer 4 in, V $091,407,

ends being normally maintained in a relatively in cooperative relationship, an outwardly diselevated position under spring tension, each posed portion oi the take-up lever having an thread clamping member being in association eyelet through which the thread is adapted to with one of the said levers, threads passing from pass on its way to the knitting machine and the thesourceofthread 'supply through the outerends thread clamping member having the clamping of the said levers and then to the thread-wrapportion thereof so disposed with respect pingfmeans, the construction being such that source of thread-supply and the takisup that the when the knitting instrumentalities are drawing thread may be engaged by the clamp beforev it athread'from the source of supplythe movable passes through the eyelet of the take-up, the

i0 clamping member does not retard free movement construction beingsuch that upon a slacknessin I 0! such thread to the knitting instrumentalities. the thread being produced the take-up lever im- 11. A thread controlling mechanism for a mediately takes up the said slacknessiand the knitting machine comprising a rotary unit havclamp engages the thread to prevent thetake-up ing means for guiding a plurality of threads from from taking. up more thread from the thread it a source of supply to the needles oi the knitting" supply. e I 1 machine, said unit including aseries of like, mov- 15. A knitting machine having a rotary wrap able members adapted to clamp and release the stripe mechanism associated therewith and in threads to maintain-such threads under-a proper combination therewith and mounted to rotate degree'of tension despite an occasional tendency "with the wrap stripe mechanism, thread clamp- 4 to produce slackness in the threads durlngthe 1118, and take-up mea'ns,the said means including 2 knitting operation, and movable thread take-up two movable and "cooperating elements, one for means for each thread acting in conjunction with acting to take up slack thread and theother actthe clamping means to cause the same quickly to ing to work in conjunction with the take-up to releas the thread without engaging the-thread engage the thread and prevent its being pulled in a manner to retard free movement of the from the source of thread supply by the action of thread to the needles, the construction being-such the take-up asfit moves to a position to take up that each thread clamping means after releasing the slack thread but being quickly, responsive to the threads is quickly responsive to a slackness the drawing of thread by the knitting instrumenproduced in the thread, the clamping means in taiities to move to such a position to permit the 9 such case acting quickly again to clamp the thread to pass freely to the needles and without 3 threads and thusmaintain the said threads under engaging the thread to retard the same. 7

a proper degree of tension. y '16. A thread clamping means including a sup- 12. A thread controlling means for a knitting port and a thread clamping device mounted machine including a, support, a thread engaging thereon, said clamping device consisting of a take-up having a pivot and a clamping member lever pivoted intermediate its ends to provide a 35 pivotally mounted on the support andin 00- long lever arm and a short lever arm, a cooperatoperative 'relationship so that a temporary slack ing lever in operativeassociatlon with the long produced in the threads causes the take-up memarm of the thread clamping lever and adapted to bet to take up such slack and causes theclampbe moved by the pull of the thread as it is being a do ing member quickly to clamp the thread and to knitted. the aforesaid operative association be- 40 prevent the take-up from pulling thread from tween the cooperating lever and the long arm of the source of supply, the clamping member bethe thread clamping lever causing movements, ing engaged by the take-up member between the imparted to the said cooperating lever by the pull pivot oi the take-up and its thread engaging of the thread, to move the thread clamping lever portion, to such a position as quickly to release the thread 46 13. A thread controlling means for a knitting and prevent the same being retarded by the machine includinga support, a thread engaging clamp, and the lever action due to theconstructake-up having a pivot and a clamping member tion of the two cooperating levers being such as pivotallymounted on the support and in 00- to permit the clamp quickly to re-engage the 5Q operative relationship so that a temporary slack thread upon "a temporary slackness being pro- 50 produced in the threads causes the take-up memduced in the thread thereby preventing more her to take up such slack and causes the clampthread from being drawn from the source of ing member quickly to clampthe thread and to thread supply. prevent the take-up from pulling thread from 17. A rotary support for use, in a knitting map the source of supply. the clamping member being chine having a thread take-up lever pivotally 66 engaged by the take-up member between: the mounted thereon adjacent to the'axis'and havpivot or the take-up and its thread engaging poring a thread clamping lever pivotally mounted tion, and the thread clamping member being outwardly of the pivotal support of the take-up,

- pivoted in such a mannerthat a relatively long one end of the take-up lever extending in the so swinging movement imparted to the portion of direction of the thread clamping lever and the so the thread clamping member engaged by the thread clamping lever extending in the direction take-up results in a short thread releasing moveof the pivot oi the take-up lever. a ment being imparted to the thread clamping. 18. A rotary support for use in a knitting mamember so that upon slackness being produced in chine having a thread take-up lever pivotally the thread the clamp. will quickly re-engage the mounted thereon adjacent to the axis and hav- 66 thread and prevent the movement of the take-up ing a thread clamping lever pivotally mounted element from drawing thread from the source of outwardly of the pivotal support of, thetake-up, supply. one end 01' the take-up lever extending in the 14. A thread controlling mechanism for a knitdirection of the thread clamping lever and the 70 ting machine including a rotary support'and a thread clamping lever extending in the direc- 70 thread take-up mounted upon the rotary suption of the pivot of the take-up lever, an eyelet port adjacent'to the axis thereof, a thread clampbeing provided in the thread take-up lever at a ing member inassociation with the take-up point substantially removed from the pivot thereand mounted outwardly thereof, the take-up and of, the take-up lever being in engagement with thread clamping member each including a. lever the clamping lever and at a point nearer to the 75 axis of the take-up lever than to the thread engaging portion thereof so that movements of the take-up lever induced either by a slackness in the thread or by the traction exerted by the knitting instrumentalities upon the threads results in the clamping portion of the lever being moved a relatively short distance as compared with the distance through which the thread engaging end of the take-up lever moves under the conditions named so that the clamp may quickly re-engage the thread after it has been released from such engagement.

19. A support for a thread controlling mechanism of a knitting machine, and thread clamping and take-up levers mounted thereon, the two levers being maintained in engagement so that movements of the take-up lever are transmitted to the thread clamping lever in such a manner as to permit the clamp quickly to release and reengage the thread, the leverconstruction and engagement being such that a relatively slight pull exerted upon the thread by knitting instrumentalities causes the clamp to release the thread.

20. A support for a thread controlling mechanism of a knitting machine, and thread clamping and take-up levers mounted thereon, the two levers being maintained in engagement so that movements of the take-up lever are transmitted to the thread clamping lever in such a manner 0 as to permit the clamp quickly to release and reengage the thread, a thread clamping element fixedly mounted on the support and having a downwardly sloping portion to act in conjunction with the cooperating portion of the thread clamping-lever.

21. A thread controlling means including two movably supported members, one such member being pivoted intermediate its ends to constitute a lever and one arm of the said lever adapted to engage and clamp the thread and prevent movement thereof, the other member being provided with a thread'guiding eyethrough which the thread passes and being movable from one position to another position by tension of the thread, themember last mentioned engaging the other arm of the thread clamping lever and, due to such engagement, the said other member when moved to the second named position acting on the lever in such a manner as to permit the thread to be drawn freely through the mentioned thread guiding eye.

22. A thread controlling device for a knitting machine including an arm movable in response to variations in the tension imposed upon the thread during knitting, a portion of the said arm acting to clamp the thread, and a thread clamping member adapted to cooperate with the thread clamping portion of the said arm to prevent movement of the thread from the source of supply and in the direction of the needles except when the knitting of the thread by the needles of the knitting machine acts to draw thread from the source of supply, the surface of the cooperating thread clamping member adjacent to the thread clamping portion of the said arm when the arm is in thread clamping relation with respect to the cooperating thread clamping mem ber, sloping downwardly so that the clamping portion of the arm, upon its initial movement away from the cooperating thread clamping member, permits the passage of enlarged portions of the thread, such as knots, thus avoiding the possibility of breaking the thread.

23. A thread controlling device for a knitting machine including a member movable in response to variations in the tension imposed upon the thread during knitting, a thread clamping mem-' ber adapted to cooperate with a portion of the said movable member to prevent movement of the thread from the source of supply and in the direction of the needles except when the knitting of the thread by the needles of the knitting machine acts to draw thread from the source of supply, the surface of the cooperating thread clamping member adjacent to the thread clamping portion of the said movable member when the member is in thread clamping relation with respect to the said cooperating member, sloping downwardly so' that the movable member, upon its initial movement away from the cooperating thread clamping member, permits the passage of enlarged portions of the thread, such as knots, thus avoiding the possibility of breaking the thread.

24. A thread controlling device for a knitting v machine including a lever and means for pivotally supporting said lever, said lever being engaged by a thread in its passage from the thread supply to the needles of the knitting machine, a second lever having a thread clamping portion, said second lever being engaged and moved by the lever first mentioned, a cooperating thread clamping member adapted to cooperate with the thread clamping portion of the second mentioned lever to prevent movement of the thread from the source of supply and in the direction of the needles except when the knitting of the thread by the needles of the knitting machine acts to draw thread from the source of supply, the surface of the cooperating thread clamping member adjacent to the thread clamping portion of the lever when the said lever is in thread clamping relation with respect to the said cooperating member, sloping downwardly so that the said lever, upon its initial movement away from the cooperating member, permits the passage of enlarged portions of the thread, such as knots, thus avoiding the possibility of breaking the thread.

25. A thread controlling mechanism for a knitting machine, said mechanism including a support and a pair of cooperating arms movably mounted thereon, one of said arms having a portion adapted, when in one position, to arrest the free passage of the thread to the needles of the knitting machine, the other arm having provision for the passage therethrough of the thread,

the construction being such that when a movement is imparted to the arm second mentioned by means of the thread, the said second mentioned arm engages the arm first mentioned and causes such a movement thereof as to permit movement of the thread in the direction of the' needles,

passage of the thread to the needles being pre-- vented when the arm second mentioned moves out of cooperative relationship with the arm first mentioned.

26. A thread controlling mechanism for a knitting machine, said mechanism including a support and a pair of cooperating arms movably mounted thereon, one of said arms having a portion adapted, when in one position, to clamp the thread and prevent the free passage thereof to the needles of the knitting machine, the other arm having provision therein for the passage therethrough of the thread, the construction be ing such that when a movement is imparted to the arm second mentioned by means of the thread, the said second mentioned arm engages the arm first mentioned and causes the same to release the thread from clamping engagement thus permitting free movement of the thread in the direction of the needles, the aforesaid clamping or the thread being effected when the arm second mentioned moves out of cooperative relationship with the arm first mentioned '27. A thread controlling mechanism for akn'itting machine, said mechanism including a support and a pair of cooperating arms movably mounted thereon and a spring acting upon one of the said arms, one of said arms having a portion adapted, when in one position, to arrest the free passage of the thread to the needlesof the knitting machine, the other arm having provision vfor the passage therethrough of the thread, the construction being such that when a movement is imparted to the arm second mentioned lay-means of the thread, the said second mentioned arm engages the arm firstmentioned and causes such a movement thereof as to permit movement of the thread in the direction of the needles, passage of the thread to the needles being prevented when the arm second mentioned moves out of cooperative relationship with the arm first mentioned, such movement of the arm second mentioned out of cooperative relationship with the. arm first mentioned being effected by the spring.

28. A thread controlling mechanism for a knitting machine, said mechanism including a support and a pair of cooperating arms movably mounted thereon and a spring acting upon one of the said arms, one of said arms having a portion adapted, when inone position, to clamp the thread and prevent the Iree passage thereof to the needles of the knitting machine,- the arm having provision ;therein for the passage therethrough of .the thr fldfthe' construction being such that whenamovement is imparted to thearm second mentioned by means of the thread, the said second mentioned arm engages the arm first mentioned and causes the same to release the thread from clamping engagement thus permitting free movement pr the thread in the direction of the needles, the aforesaid clamping of the thread being effected when the which slot the ring is seated, and means for retaining the ring in the slot, the ring serving as a pivot for all of the thread engaging members.

ROBERT H. LAWSON. 

